A Narrative Review of the Environmental and Public Health Implications of Carbon Sequestration in the Amazon Rainforest

Abstract

The Amazon Rainforest stores an estimated 150–200 petagrams of carbon in its biomass and soils, making it the largest terrestrial carbon reservoir on Earth. This narrative review assesses the Amazon’s role in regulating global and regional climate, examines emerging evidence on the weakening of its carbon sink function, and evaluates the environmental and public health consequences of ongoing forest degradation. Drawing on research from 2015 to 2025, we analyze carbon sequestration processes, hydrological functions, including the “flying rivers” system, and feedback mechanisms driving parts of the southeastern Amazon toward a shift from carbon sink to carbon source. We also consider methodological differences in biomass estimation, particularly across remote sensing approaches, and their implications for carbon accounting. In addition, we highlight the health impacts of deforestation, including respiratory illness from wildfire smoke, heat-related illness, the spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue, and risks to food and water security. We also assess current policy frameworks, including the Paris Agreement, REDD+, and national conservation laws. Overall, we argue that the Amazon is essential to planetary health, and that protecting it will require stronger and more effective governance, not just incremental changes to existing policies.